A group of artists from around the world are recording their impressions of the city as part of an event entitled "Shanghai - In the Eyes of World Artists." Their works will be exhibited during the 4th Shanghai International Festival of Arts in November, writes Wang Jie.

Twenty-three international artists have been invited to paint their impressions of Shanghai - a city as visually stimulating as it is culturally intriguing.

The painters, currently in town as part of the 12-day event entitled "Shanghai - In the Eyes of World Artists," will exhibit their works here in November.

Artist Dagmar Baumann, in Shanghai for the first time, says the city is "breathtaking, stunning and unforgettable." Born in Germany in 1960, Baumann lives in Shanghai's sister city, Rotterdam.

Dressed in a stylish white outfit in her temporary studio/residence in suburban Shanghai, she explains that the group of painters spent the first three days touring the city's major tourist sights - including theaters, museums, public parks and the Bund.

The artists are expected to complete two pieces before their departure this weekend; the paintings will be displayed at the Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Painting in November as part of the 4th Shanghai International Festival of Arts.

"I like this approach: information-gathering first, and then quick creation. It's very stimulating," says Baumann.

The artist's temporary residence is scattered with calligraphy books. The sketches on her easel reveal the outlines of the Nanpu Bridge and the Oriental Pearl Broadcasting and Television Tower.

"The city planning is just incredible," she remarks, obviously impressed by the sheer scale of the metropolis. In addition to modern marvels, Baumann says she is "curious about ancient Chinese culture, especially the calligraphy, characterized by different brushstrokes. The two commissioned pieces obviously can't completely express all my feelings toward Shanghai. Perhaps the city's influence will continue to turn up in my later work."

Like Baumann, Liverpool artist Philip Berrill is also on his first visit to Shanghai. Berrill, 57, is further along in his work. He has already finished one painting entitled "Shanghai's Past and Present." The Oriental Pearl Tower dominates the center of Berrill's canvas, beside which stand some modern cultural icons and ancient symbols.

"It took me nearly 11 hours to complete this piece," Berrill says. "I was so excited, both physically and spiritually, about the vividness of the city."

Although he had seen images of modern Shanghai on the Internet, Berrill notes that his knowledge of the city was largely based on "colonial-era histories and old-fashioned notions." Berrill, an artist, author and broadcaster, has been to many parts of the world, but insists, "Nothing compares to Shanghai. Just imagine: All these monumental changes have taken place in the last one and a half decades."

Berrill cites the city's "respect for the past," the rapid economic development, the cleanliness of his surroundings and the number of beautiful young women as highlights of his impression.

He has already begun his second painting, featuring the scenery along the Bund.

"The view along the Bund reminded me of a picture book called 'City of the Future.' When I first saw the Bund, I said to myself, 'this is the City of Future' - a book I read about 45 years ago."

The city so impressed Berrill that he plans to return here next September with his wife and daughter.

"Shanghai is a city of the present and future," he adds. "I feel very lucky to be a part of this project."

( eastday.com September 19, 2002)